The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-31

GAINESVILLE was laid out in 1T99 eleven years
inter the landing of the first settlers at Mari
eta. The site Of the town was owned bv Ebe-
nczer Zane and his son-in.law, John McIntire.
Zane's interest in the proposed town was turned
over to McIntire, who took up his residence
there and called the place Westbourn, q name
which 1t bore till the Postmaster General Of tho
United States established an office there, which
he named GAINESVILLE. The town speedily took
the name of the oface.
The Zane family was q remarkable one Of
early days, and some OF its members are his
torical characters.
There were four brothers, Isaac, Ebcnezer,
Silas and Jonathan Zane, who were captured
by the Indians when they were boys and held
In captivity for thirteen years.
During the greater part OF the period Of their
enforced detention the Zanes lived In what Is
now Eastern Ohio. Isaac, Ebenezer and Jona-
than were taken to Detroit by their captors and
there exchanged or In some way set at liberty.
But the bonds which held Isaac, the remain
ing brother, were of q stouter sort than those
Of revenge or interest such US had caused
the long captivity OF his companions. Isaac
Zane was loved by the comely daughter Of the
Wyandot chieftain who was the leader Of tho
tribe that held the Zanes in custody. Isaac
was o young man and he wanted TO be free.
Twice he escaped and twice he was brought
back and treated with engaging tenderness by
the Indian maiden But no thought more Of
liberty than Of woman's love, and SO made o
third attempt to escape from the foes that held
him in such high esteem that they could not
bear 70 part with him. For several days he
travelled toward the rising sun, and finally
reached Butler County, Pa, and was turning
his course toward Pittsburgh when he was met
by some hostile Indians. t a.'f
He could run like deer, but his pursuers
were numerous, and some Of them, who knew
the country much better than he did, managed
TO cut of his retreat, and he was made o
prisoner. This time he fell into the hands Of
Indians who were not at all disposed TO treat
him kindly. He was securely bound and taken
to the camp Of Cornplanter, famous Chieftain,
in whose veins tradition says that the blood Of
Washington coursed The tribe which he led
was originally ruled by an Indian Queen Of sing
ular power and beauty. This woman, said the
only living descendant OF zsnc to me recently,
was superior person. She was born to rule,
and governed her people by the force OF her
character. She was importuned by many .
great Chief, time after time, to become his
wife, but she preferred TO cling to her power
and dignity. But when Washington, as o
young man, came to the Ohio Valley. she fell
In love with him, and he is said TO have mani
tested some affection for her. Cornplanter was
their son. My informant heard this story from
the lips of Zane.
When Isaac Zane was brought before Corn
planter he was accused Of being an Indian
slayer and was doomed to be burned at the
stake. "'
His face was painted black, which indicated
that u horrible death was In store for him and
he was told that the next morning would be his
last. Tho frightful death.whoop sounded
through the camp at night and malignant
| squaws leered ut the youthful prisoner and told
him Of the pain that they were preparing to In
| fiict upon him. He was unable to sleep until
nearly daylight, when no fell into an uneasy
| slumber. Before he awokc he saw In crate
full morning vision that hoated before hi,
drowsy eyes, the slender figure OF the Wyandot
| maiden who loved him and from whose afiec
| tionate demonstrations he had ded shs
smiled upon him and seemed to say 'hays
hope" The next moment he was roughly
| aroused by his captors and led ont TO die. Z.
stake had been set In the ground. and HI
WAS fastened 70 II BY o leather thong attached
| 70 his hands, Piles OF fsgoss were stacked W
few feet from him, and oil about him thu
warriors and women were circlins With shriil
outcries. A number Of squaws pulled out ~
Of his finger and toe nails. md sharp. lighted
sticks we're pushed into his bare arns ant
breast. Iltfi,. t.fi,gf,E ge.lrf.s,c
i Finally, . big warrior approached With nfe
brand 70 light the fssotss and half . dessl
guns charged With salt end eoerse powder wer
lsveied ss tho victims badyss 9he Aeeh,Aaac
vas commenced, and the nre hsd tuss been ~
piAad y 10 asy stieks vhsa ~ verwAssV